Costume Drama

A costume from The Brothers Lionheart.  Photos by Carl Thorborg.

I have long overlooked Dansmuseet, Stockholm's museum dedicated to all forms of dance, and probably wouldn't have made a visit if it weren't for my friend Gabi's urgings.  One of Stockholm's partially free museums (you have to pay extra for the temporary shows), the majority of the permanent exhibitions focus on the museum's extensive collection of costumes from all over the world, and is the closest thing we have to a costume institute in these parts.  In fact, the current special exhibition on display, Koroly's Costume Drama, is one of the most exciting sartorial installations I've ever seen.

The breathtaking survey of Swedish-American costume designer Charles Koroly's work features a wide span of pieces, ranging from surreal human-puppet costumes made for The Brothers Lionheart, to classic French rococo attire made for a production of Madame de Sade.  Each piece is incredibly constructed, and one of the most impressive highlights is a costume for The Brothers Lionheart that involves a metal cage skirt covered in floral branches, and is so large and unwieldy that it has its own set of wheels built into the hemline so it can be rolled along with the performer on stage.  What makes the show particularly special is the fact that visitors are actually allowed to touch all of the garments on display, allowing curious couture students to thoroughly examine the construction and enjoy every aspect of illusion creation.  That's a privilege that would be hard to find anywhere else.

Costumes from The Brothers Lionheart

A costume from Aurum

Costume from The Brothers Lionheart

Costume from Erik XIV

Costumes from Madame de Sade

Costume from The Brothers Lionheart

Costume from The Brothers Lionheart

Costume from The Misanthrope

Costumes from Richard III

Costume for Twelfth Night

-Tiffany

Springtime in Stockholm

At Prins Eugens Waldenarsudde. Stine Goya x Weekdays dress, H&M tights, Dieppa Restrepo tights, Devaki hat, Triskaidekaphobia necklace

I haven't been posting much lately, as I've been out enjoying my last few weeks in Stockholm.  I'm moving back to New York very soon, right as the days are becoming gloriously long (the sun is going down around nine) and the weather is finally taking a turn for the better.  I spent this weekend relishing spring at two of my favorite museums in Stockholm, Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde, and Millesgarden.  While neither are very centrally located, they're a must see if you happen to be in Stockholm during the spring or summer; both are located on fantastic grounds, and best visited while everything is in bloom.  They also give a peek into what it was like to have a fun and fabulous life in Stockholm at the turn of the century.  Prins Eugens Waldermarsudde is the former castle residence of Swedish Prince Eugen, and contains his private collection of art.  Millesgarden is the former home and estate of artists Carl and Olga Milles, and includes a sprawling sculpture garden filled with Carl Milles's work.

Of course, spring wouldn't be complete without the Cherry Blossoms at Kungstradgarden.  I went to see them twice this weekend, and took some photos with Gabi after our visit to the Dansmuseet (more on that tomorrow).  I know I whine a lot about winter in this country, but I have to say, springtime is pretty wonderful when it finally arrives.

Millesgarden

Millesgarden

Millesgarden

Millesgarden

Cherry Blossoms at Kungstradgarden. Stine Goya jumpsuit, ASOS feather jacket, Ursidae New York scarf, Monki sunglasses, Triskaidekaphobia necklace

Gabi at Kungstradgarden

-Tiffany

Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!

Stockholm's gems don't always immediately reveal themselves, and I've found that you often have to hunt them down.  That said, it isn't so much of a surprise that it took me so long to make my way to Bukowski's, a famed auction house in Ostermalm.  Of course, it isn't the type of place I'd normally visit, as I don't have the funds to be making bids on anything outside of eBay.  Nonetheless, it's always fun to look, and when my friend Marcus, who works at Bukowski's, invited me to the opening of their latest vintage auction, I didn't realize what a treat I'd be in for.

The pre-auction exhibition features lust worthy vintage designer goods, including an abundance of Louis Vuitton trunks, Chanel jewelry, Hermes scarves, and pretty much everything else an aspiring label-whore could dream of.  For added viewing pleasure, everything is presented in a museum like setting, but at this museum, you're allowed to touch and try on what's on display.  A look at their online auction catalog reveals prices that are too steep for me, but probably bargaineous compared to the original prices.  For example, I would be highly surprised if this hilariously kitchy Chanel bag and pump set, adorned with tennis balls, went for the estimated price of 200-250 euros.  They're only one of the many fun items up for grabs, which will give me and my fellow brand-obsessed friends something to save towards.

Louis Vuitton motorcycle helmet, YSL dress, Chanel necklace

Left: Pucci dress, right: Katherine Hamnett dress

Alexander McQueen dress, Chanel straw hat

My favorite piece of vintage jewelry

Balmain dress

Louis Vuitton trunk and bag

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Louis Vuitton trunk and Chanel jacket

Odicini Couture dress, Hermes scarves

Hermes scarf and bracelet, Versace pumps

 More Louis Vuitton 

-Tiffany

Stockholm Shopping: Studio Vintage

If you're a regular reader of this blog, then you surely know that I love and adore Swedish fashion designers, and am an ardent collector of their clothes. Nonetheless, since moving to Stockholm, where nearly everyone is very well-dressed, and where nearly everyone buys and supports local talent, I've found myself increasingly likely to run into someone wearing the exact same outfit as my own.  The solution? I've been increasingly drawn to vintage and second hand, something that I've stayed away from in New York recently because of the horrific bedbug epidemic that's unfortunately taken seige of my hometown.  Luckily, my current adopted city is extremely clean, pristine, and bedbug-free, in addition to having a large number of vintage, thrift, and second hand shops.

One of my favorite new discoveries is Studio Vintage.  I don't know why I haven't visited sooner, as my friend Patrik works there, but it is situated in a part of town that I rarely frequent.  Located in the heart of Ostermalm, an area known more for expensive designer boutiques than for quirky and fun finds, the boutique is an unexpected and rather lovely surprise.  Carefully curated by Maria Jonas, the store is a mix of second hand designer finds and amazing vintage pieces, many of them with interesting histories and previous lives that Jonas can tell you about.  On my visit today, I came across 80's era Theirry Mugler suits, previous season Prada sweaters, a Versace dress that was recently knocked off in the H&M collaboration, and a trove of Balmain dresses.  Of course there were plenty of Swedish designers in the mix too, and it's clear that Jonas has an eye for good design.  Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the store is the prices, which are also reasonable, as Jonas believes that vintage allows people to buy unique clothes without having to pay couture prices.  For those of you outside of Stockholm, Studio Vintage will be launching their eBay shop soon!

Charles Jourdan shoes and vintage bag

Versace dress

Louis Vuitton ballet flats

Pucci dress

Vintage Laura Ashley blouse

-Tiffany